The Agents

In this novel, a dystopian world meets The Office, Nineteen Eighty-Four, and Tron. The agents are busy agenting, watching endless data feeds in their cubicles. Defenestration is the only way out, and the battle for key territory is heating up. The agents are not sure which of them will make it out alive.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: Coach House Books

In this captivating novel, a fusion of dystopian elements from Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Office, and Tron, the story unfolds in a starkly futuristic world where the agents, unaware of their true purpose, are consumed by their relentless agenting duties. Their lives revolve around monitoring endless data feeds within the confines of towering cubicles, stacked one upon another in a vast tower that serves as both their residence and workplace. Empty floors become battlegrounds as rival guilds of agents vie for territorial control, engaging in fierce battles that often result in defenestration, known as the "ballet of suicides." Amidst this chaotic landscape, we meet a diverse group of characters. Théodore, a peculiar individual who has amputated his own toes, must maintain a precarious 30-degree angle to keep his balance. Solveig, despite her agent status, is pregnant, a rarity among these individuals. Lazslo, an artist, and Clara, a self-mutilating individual, also grace the pages, each with their unique struggles and motivations.

Adding to the intrigue is the arrival of Hick, a new agent who exudes an unexpected sense of happiness and occupies a strategically vital cubicle. The battle for key territory intensifies, and the agents find themselves questioning their desires and survival instincts. With each passing day, the stakes rise, and the odds seem stacked against them. As the tension mounts, the novel delves into themes of power, control, and the human condition in a world where individuality and freedom are ruthlessly suppressed. The author's skillful writing style, combined with the vivid imagery and immersive narrative, transports readers to a realm where the line between reality and illusion blurs, leaving them pondering the consequences of a society governed by surveillance and conformity.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781552454329